Landbank, Petron prepare scholars under Tulong Aral

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Bank of the Philippines, Petron Foundation, Inc. and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) recently re-oriented the 98 scholars under the Tulong Aral High School Scholarship program in preparation for their third year education in school year 2010-2011.

The high school student beneficiaries who are currently receiving financial support from Landbank were among the graduates of Tulong Aral ng Petron program for high school level. Since 2008, Landbank has helped send these children to high school for free. They came from indigent families in urban poor communities identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

LANDBANK president and CEO Gilda Pico emphasized in her opening remarks that educating the youth is vital to the socio-economic progress of every country. “We value with utmost priority the education of our youth as their knowledge and skills will contribute largely to the growth and prosperity of the country,” Pico explains.

The Petron Foundation, as the lead agency, developed the conceptual framework for the scholarship program while Landbank and PBSP participate in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the program. Landbank and its employees contributed P4 million to the program which are being released in tranches of P1 million a year. The DepEd established that data base of scholars and coordinates with concerned schools while the DSWD assists Landbank and Petron in selecting the program beneficiaries particularly in determining the income level of the families of the scholars.

Photo shows 98 scholars under the Tulong Aral High School Scholarship Program with key officers of Landbank, Petron Foundation, and PBSP during the re-orientation program held recently at the Landbank Plaza in Malate, Manila.